Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-11-17

q time. Then the good woman. unable
to bear the suspense, mustered up
courage and renewed the conversation.
swell, Rube. air We goin to tell me
what that idee of your'n is?"
"Mebbe," said Rube, with tantaliz-
ing air of Indifference.
"What is it, any way. much impor-
taace to us?'
"Perhaps it is. and mebbe it isn't"
replied Rube. "But reckon I'd best
not tell We an make it surprise like. !"
"Now want to know-a surprised!
and Mrs. Reddick wondered what the
surprise would be. In few days her
fortieth birthday would be at hand,
IAN he intends to make me a nice
present." she thought, smile fitting
over her handsome features. Mrs.
Reddick was still a handsome woman.
"All right, Rube." said she. arising
to prepare the supper.
After supper Mr.. Reddick said he
would 90 towards town as he had some
business to transact, and that she might
sit up and await his return. if she
wished. adding that he would be pleased
to have her do so, as he intended to be
away but an hour.
II do wonder what he intends to
surprise me WITH" Mrs. Reddick asked
herself over and over again.
"Poor Rube, he's always tryin' some
new scheme or other, an I'm sure he
does it to benefit me as well az HIM
SELF" she reasoned, looking vacantly
out the kitchen window.
Thus she occupied her mind while
tidying up things generally. and So alb
sent-minded was she an hour afterward
that she never heard the roll of car
riage wheels up the drive, nor the foot
steps on the gravel walk until the We
randall was reached.
Rube had returned, and with him was
little child.
He hesitated before opening the door,
holding the trembling orphan by the
hand.
''What'll Mandy say" he thought,
and looking down upon the sweet face
before him, he resolved to 'face the
music and have it over with.
He felt the child's hand tremble and
babe her have no fears, that he had
brought her to a nice home where she
would have a new papa and mamma
and lots of good things.
They entered the little parlor, when
Mrs. Reddick turned and discovered
them. For moment she was speech
less.
''Rube! what in all creation does
this mean?' she asked, looking from
one to the other with dilated eyes.
ut means. Mandy" he replied,
THAT l hev brought We this poor little
orphan. an we'll adopt her, an"
':Never! sir, nevcrr'
Mrs. Reddick was one of those
women who, not having the blessing
of little ones conferred upon them,
seem to hate the very sight of Others
children.
''Never, Rube; 1 couldn't do it." she
repeated in a husky voice, the tears
ready to flow at sight of the pleading
face before her.
Mandy" said Rube. softly, ''re-
member what Jesus said
Il know, RUDE; but l can't take
mothers place. Eff it wuz boy,
mightn't mind it 80 much"
boy! tut, TUT" exclaimed the big
hearted man. beginning to feel hope
full. why. Mandy, boys is no account
any way you take 'em. Soon's they're
growed up they start off an leave the
ole folks to shift for themselves. Not
so with the gals. This is right smart
little critter, SO they tell me at the
poor-house.
The little orphan felt she was not
wanted there and the thought gave her
pain. She looked up in Mr. Reddick's
face and burst into fit of weeping.
Mile Morewin. or Little Millie"
as she was called at the poor-house,
was left an orphan four years previous
to the opening of our story. She had
- l-Alh